Organic salt conditioner, organic salt-containing composition, and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to the use of, and a composition containing, at least one non-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C. These organic salts may be imidazolium, pyrazolium, pyridinium, pyrimidinium or tetraalkylphosphonium salts. The inventinon composition may be used for washing (cleaning) and/or conditioning keratin materials, and especially the hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a composition, preferably acosmetic composition, comprising at least one particular organic salt,and to its use for, for example, washing and/or conditioning keratinmaterials. The invention also relates to the use of a particular organicsalt, for example in cosmetics, as an agent for conditioning, and alsoto a cosmetic treatment process using the salt and the composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] It is especially sought in the cosmetics field to improve theconditioning of keratin materials, and in particular the hair. The term“conditioning” means properties of ease of disentangling, sheen and softfeel.

[0003] Fluid compounds with a low surface tension, such as silicones,are generally used for this purpose. They are well known in the art forimproving in particular the disentangling of the hair.

[0004] Quaternary ammonium salts with a high melting point, such ascetrimonium bromide, in the form of an aqueous solution or an aqueousemulsion, may also be used for this purpose. With these two types ofcompounds, excellent conditioning of the hair may thus be obtained, buttheir use is accompanied by major drawbacks. Specifically, the hairbecomes greasy, has a laden feel and a transfer of material onto thefingers is observed.

[0005] There are not currently, in this field, any other liquidlubricant compounds that afford excellent conditioning of the hairwithout the major drawbacks mentioned above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The inventor has found, surprisingly, that by using a particularfamily of compounds it is possible to obtain very good conditioning ofthe hair and to overcome the drawbacks of the compounds mentioned above,used in the cosmetic compositions of the prior art. This particularfamily of compounds is non-polymeric organic salts with a melting pointof less than 60° C.

[0007] These organic salts form part of a general class of compoundsthat are well known as “Room Temperature Ionic Liquids” or RTIL. TheseRTILs generally have a melting point of less than 100° C. and remainliquid up to a temperature of about 300° C.

[0008] These RTILs are especially described in “Eyes on Ionic Liquids,Chemical and Engineering News”, May 15, 2000, Vol. 78, 20, pages 37-50and in “New Horizons for Ionic Liquids, Chemical and Engineering News”,Jan. 1, 2001, Vol. 79, 1, pages 21-25.

[0009] The melting point is measured by differential calorimetricanalysis (DSC) with a rate of temperature increase of 10° C./minute. Themelting point is then the temperature corresponding to the top of theendothermic melting peak obtained during the measurement.

[0010] The organic salts of the invention also have excellent solvatingpower and excellent electrical conductivity. They are also non-volatileand non-flammable.

[0011] Another advantage of these organic salts lies in the fact thatthey are readily recycled and are among the solvents known as “green”solvents.

[0012] One subject of the invention is thus a (cosmetic) compositioncomprising at least one non-polymeric organic salt with a melting pointof less than 60° C., where “(cosmetic)” refers to a preferable, but notnecessary, characteristic of the composition.

[0013] Another subject of the present invention is a use of at least onenon-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C.,optionally present in a (cosmetic) composition, for washing (cleaning)and/or conditioning and/or otherwise treating (i.e., caring for) keratinmaterials, and in particular the hair.

[0014] A further subject of the invention is the use of a non-polymericorganic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C. as an agent forconditioning keratin materials, and in particular the hair.

[0015] A further subject of the present invention is a process fortreating keratin materials using the non-polymeric organic salt with amelting point of less than 60° C. and/or the (cosmetic) compositionaccording to the invention.

[0016] A further subject of the present invention is a process formodifying a (cosmetic) composition comprising adding thereto at leastone non-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C.,preferably in an amount sufficient to clean, condition, or otherwisetreat keratin material.

[0017] Further subjects, characteristics, aspects and advantages of theinvention will emerge upon reading the description and the variousexamples that follow.

[0018] The (cosmetic) composition according to the invention comprises,preferably in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least onenon-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C. Thismelting point is preferably less than 20° C., better still less than 0°C. and even more preferably less than −30° C., these limit rangesincluding all values and subranges therein as if specifically writtenout.

[0019] The expression “cosmetically acceptable medium” means a mediumthat is compatible with any keratin material such as the skin, the hair,the nails, the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the lips and any other area ofthe body and the face.

[0020] Preferably, the organic salts used in the composition accordingto the invention may be chosen from imidazolium, pyrazolium, pyridinium,pyrimidinium and tetraalkylphosphonium salts with a melting point ofless than 60° C., preferably less than 20° C., better still less than 0°C. and even more preferably less than −30° C. and mixtures thereof.

[0021] Useful imidazolium salts include those of formula (I):

[0022] in which:

[0023] R₁ and R₃, which may be identical or different, each represent analkyl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 5carbon atoms and better still from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

[0024] R₂, R₄ and R₅, which may be identical or different, eachrepresent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 4carbon atoms and preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and

[0025] X⁻ represents an anion.

[0026] The alkyl groups may be linear or branched. Examples includemethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl,octyl, nonyl, decyl and dodecyl groups.

[0027] Alkylmethylimidazolium salts and more specifically1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium or 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium salts arepreferably used herein.

[0028] Useful pyrazolium salts that may be used in the present inventioninclude those of formula (II):

[0029] in which:

[0030] R₁ and X⁻ have the same meaning as above (an alkyl groupcontaining from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 5 carbonatoms and better still from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and an anion,respectively), and

[0031] R₆, R₇ and R₈, which may be identical or different, eachrepresent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 5carbon atoms and preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

[0032] Useful pyridinium salts that may be used in the invention includethose of formula (III):

[0033] in which R₆, R₇ and X⁻ are as defined above (a hydrogen atom oran alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms and preferably from 1to 4 carbon atoms and an anion, respectively), and R₉ represents analkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and preferably from 1 to4 carbon atoms,

[0034] and more particularly N-butylpyridinium salts.

[0035] Useful pyrimidinium salts that may be used in the presentinvention include those of formulae (IV) and (IV′):

[0036] in which R₁, R₆, R₇ and X⁻ are as defined above.

[0037] Other organic salts exist in the form of non-heterocyclic cationssuch as tetraalkylphosphonium salts with a melting point of less than60° C.

[0038] Useful tetraalkylphosphonium salts that may be used in thepresent invention include those of formula (V):

[0039] in which R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃, which may be identical ordifferent, represent an alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atomsand preferably from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and X⁻ represents an anion.

[0040] The anion present in the organic salt, for example thatrepresented by X⁻ in the above formulae, may be any anion known in theart, including a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromide ion (Br⁻), atetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion (NiCl₄ ⁻), aperchlorate ion (CIO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitrite ion (NO₂ ⁻),a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁻), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻), atetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) or a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).

[0041] Particularly preferred anions include the chloride, bromide,sulphate, acetate, tetrafluoroborate, hexafluorophosphate, triflate,nonaflate, bis(triflyl)amide and heptafluorobutanoate ions.

[0042] Particularly useful examples of organic salts that may be used inthe context of the present invention include the following organicsalts:

[0043] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,

[0044] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide,

[0045] 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,

[0046] 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,

[0047] 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride,

[0048] 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,

[0049] 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide,

[0050] 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,

[0051] 1-methyl-3-tetradecylimidazolium chloride,

[0052] 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium chloride,

[0053] 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium chloride,

[0054] 4-methyl-N-hexylpyridinium chloride,

[0055] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0056] 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0057] 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0058] 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0059] 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0060] 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0061] 1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0062] 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0063] 4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate,

[0064] 1-hexyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,

[0065] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0066] 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0067] 1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0068] 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0069] 1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0070] 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0071] 1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0072] 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,

[0073] 1,3-dimethylimidazolium methylsulphate,

[0074] 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium methylsulphate,

[0075] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate,

[0076] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrite,

[0077] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate,

[0078] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium sulphate,

[0079] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triflates,

[0080] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nonaflates,

[0081] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(triflyl)amide,

[0082] 1-butylpyridinium bromide,

[0083] 1-butylpyrimidinium trifluoromethanesulphonate,

[0084] 1-hexylpyrimidinium trifluoromethanesulphonate,

[0085] 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate,

[0086] trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride,

[0087] tributyltetradecylphosphonium chloride,

[0088] 1-ethyl-2-methylpyrazolium tetrafluoroborate, and

[0089] 1-methyl-3-butylpyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate.

[0090] It is possible to modify the chemistry of organic salts,including those described above, so as to vary their solubility. Topreserve the meltability of these salts at low temperature, it ispreferable to more specifically modify the alkyl chains partiallyconstituting the organic salts. In this context, examples include theetherification of the alkyl chain of the salts of the1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium family, which affords the compounds of thefollowing formulae:

[0091] Such a chemical modification confers or reinforces the organicsalt's water-soluble nature, without losing the low-temperaturemeltability of the salt. Such a chemical modification may also allow theorganic salts to be gelled by combination with amphiphilic sugars andmake it possible to obtain what is known as ionogels. Such propertiesare described in the article “Spontaneous Self assembly of glycolipidbilayer Membranes in Sugar-philic Ionic Liquids and formation ofIonogels” published by N. Kimizuka and T Nakashima (Langmuir 17,6759-6761, (2001)).

[0092] The organic salt or the mixture of organic salts described aboveis preferably present in the (cosmetic) compositions of the invention ina concentration of between 0.00001% and 99.9999% by weight, morepreferably between 0.01% and 50% by weight and better still between 0.1%and 30% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, allvalues and subranges between these ranges being specifically included asif written out.

[0093] The organic salt or the mixture of organic salts may be in anyform, for example, solution or in the form of an emulsion. The organicsalt or the mixture of organic salts may also be microencapsulatedbefore being incorporated into the cosmetic composition.

[0094] The organic salt as described above is especially preferablyused, for example in cosmetics, as a conditioner.

[0095] The cosmetically acceptable medium of the cosmetic composition ofthe invention may contain a cosmetically acceptable compound or amixture of cosmetically acceptable compounds to convey the organicsalts. This vehicle may in a preferred embodiment comprise of one of thefollowing compounds or a mixture of two or more of the followingcompounds: water; C₁-C₄ aliphatic alcohols and more particularlyethanol; aromatic alcohols such as benzyl alcohol; saturated orunsaturated C₁₀-C₃₀ fatty alcohols; modified or unmodified polyols suchas glycerol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol,butyl diglycol or polyethylene glycols; volatile or non-volatilesilicones such as cyclopentasiloxane, polydimethylsiloxanes optionallymodified with phenyl and/or siloxy and/or silanol and/or amine and/orimine and/or fluoroalkyl and/or carboxyl and/or betaine and/orquaternary ammonium functions; mineral, organic or plant oils;oxyethylenated or non-oxyethylenated waxes, paraffins; alkanes and moreparticularly C₅-C₁₀ alkanes; C₁₀-C₃₀ fatty acids; C₁₀-C₃₀ fatty amides,C₁₀-C₃₀ fatty esters and more particularly fatty alkyl benzoates orsalicylates.

[0096] The cosmetically acceptable medium may also comprise at least oneother compound such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl acetate,butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dimethoxyethane or diethoxyethane.

[0097] The composition according to the invention may also comprise apropellant. Propellants that may especially be mentioned include thecompressed or liquefied gases generally used for preparing aerosolcompositions. Examples of propellants that may especially be mentionedinclude air, carbon dioxide, compressed nitrogen or a soluble gas suchas dimethyl ether, halogenated hydrocarbons, for example fluorinatedhydrocarbons, or non-halogenated hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof.

[0098] The compositions of the invention may also contain one or morecosmetic additives, including those currently commonly used in the art,such as, for example, reducing agents, oxidizing agents, fattysubstances, silicones, thickeners, softeners, antifoams, moisturizers,emollients, basifying agents, plasticizers, sunscreens, direct dyes oroxidation dyes, pigments, mineral fillers, clays, colloidal minerals,nacres, fragrances, peptizers, preserving agents, anionic, amphoteric,zwitterionic or nonionic surfactants, fixing or non-fixing polymers,conditioning polymers, proteins and vitamins. A person skilled in theart is able to select the optional cosmetic additives and the amountthereof such that they preferably do not harm, at least to a greatextent, the properties of the compositions of the present invention. Asa guide, these adjuvants are generally present in the compositionaccording to the invention in an amount ranging from 0 to 20% by weightrelative to the total weight of the composition.

[0099] The cosmetic compositions of the invention may be in any ofvarious presentation forms, such as a lotion, a spray, a mousse, aconditioner or a shampoo.

[0100] When the composition is used for washing and/or conditioningkeratin materials, especially the hair, it may be used in rinse-out orleave-in mode.

[0101] The (cosmetic) treatment process according to the inventioncomprises applying to one or more keratin materials a (cosmetic)composition according to the invention for example at a temperature ofbetween 10 and 80° C., and optionally in rinsing the materials after anaction time of, for example, between 15 seconds and 30 minutes. As analternative, one can simply apply the organic salt.

[0102] The examples that follow are given as illustrations of thepresent invention, and are not limiting thereof

EXAMPLE 1 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1 Rinse-Out Compositions

[0103] Example 1 concerns a shampoo according to the invention, whileComparative Example 1 concerns a control shampoo.

[0104] The shampoos are prepared from the ingredients below, in thefollowing proportions indicated as % by weight. Ex. 1 Comp. Ex. 1 Sodiumlaureth sulphate⁽¹⁾  30 AM  30 AM Cocobetaine⁽²⁾   4 AM   4 AM CocamideMIPA⁽³⁾   2 AM   2 AM PDMS (PM 250 000)⁽⁴⁾ — 1.5 AM1-Methyl-3-butlimidazolium tetrafluoroborate⁽⁵⁾ 1.5 AM — Sodium cetearylsulphate⁽⁶⁾ 0.8 AM 0.8 AM Polyquaternium-10⁽⁷⁾ 0.4 AM 0.4 AM Carbomer⁽⁸⁾0.2 AM 0.2 AM Propylene glycol 0.1 AM 0.1 AM Preserving agent qs qsFragrance qs qs Water  qs 100 100

[0105] These two shampoo formulations were then subjected to evaluationof the cosmetic characteristics imparted to the hair.

[0106] 5 g of shampoo were applied to a head of hair consisting ofnatural chestnut-brown Caucasian hair 20 cm long. After leaving theshampoo to act for 2 minutes, the head of hair was rinsed with water andthen styled using a hairdryer.

[0107] This test was performed on 20 models: 10 models with the shampooof Example 1 and the other 10 with the shampoo of Comparative Example 1.

[0108] The cosmetic characteristics of the heads of hair were thenevaluated by a panel of 10 experts.

[0109] This panel indicated that all the heads of hair treated with theshampoo of Example 1, i.e. the shampoo of the invention, were softer,smoother and felt less greasy and less laden than the heads of hairtreated with the shampoo of Comparative Example 1.

EXAMPLE 2 AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2 Leave-In Compositions

[0110] Example 2 concerns a sheen cream according to the invention,whereas Comparative Example 2 concerns a control sheen cream.

[0111] The sheen creams are prepared from the ingredients below, in thefollowing proportions indicated as % by weight. Ex. 2 Comp. Ex. 2Cyclopentasiloxane⁽¹⁾ —  10 AM 1-Methyl-3-butylimidazoliumtetrafluoroborate⁽²⁾  10 AM — Cyclopentasiloxane dimethicone copolyol⁽³⁾0.5 AM 0.6 AM Propylene glycol 2.5 AM 2.5 AM Preserving agent qs qsFragrance qs qs Water  qs 100 100

[0112] These two sheen cream formulations were then subjected toevaluation of the cosmetic characteristics imparted to the hair.

[0113] 5 g of sheen cream were applied to a head of hair consisting ofnatural chestnut-coloured Caucasian hair 20 cm long.

[0114] This test was performed on 20 models: 10 models with the sheencream of Example 2 and the other 10 with the sheen cream of ComparativeExample 2.

[0115] The cosmetic characteristics of the heads of hair were thenevaluated by a panel of 10 experts, after an action time of 10 minutes.

[0116] This panel indicated that all the heads of hair treated with thesheen cream of Example 2, i.e. the sheen cream of the invention, feltless greasy and less laden than the heads of hair treated with the sheencream of Comparative Example 2. In addition, the heads of hair treatedwith the sheen cream of Example 2 were shinier.

[0117] The above written description of the invention provides a mannerand process of making and using it such that any person skilled in thisart is enabled to make and use the same, this enablement being providedin particular for the subject matter of the appended claims andincluding a (cosmetic) composition comprising, preferably in acosmetically acceptable medium, at least one non-polymeric organic saltwith a melting point of less than 60° C., as well as the use of such acomposition or salt for, e.g., washing and/or conditioning keratinmaterials, in particular the hair, as well as a (cosmetic) process fortreating keratin materials, in particular the hair, which comprisesapplying to keratin materials the invention composition or salt, forexample at a temperature of between 10 and 80° C., and optionallyincluding rinsing out the composition after an action time of, e.g.,between 15 seconds and 30 minutes. Other preferred embodiments enabledherein include a process for modifying a (cosmetic) compositioncomprising adding thereto at least one non-polymeric organic salt with amelting point of less than 60° C., preferably in an amount sufficient toclean, condition, or otherwise treat keratin material, a method forcleaning, conditioning or otherwise treating keratin material comprisingapplying thereto at least one non-polymeric organic salt with a meltingpoint of less than 60° C., a composition for cleaning, conditioning orotherwise treating keratin material comprising at least onenon-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C., anda skin, hair, nail, eyelash, eyebrow or lip care composition comprisingat least one non-polymeric organic salt with a melting point of lessthan 60° C.

[0118] All references, patents, applications, tests, standards,documents, publications, brochures, texts, articles, etc. mentionedherein are incorporated herein by reference. Where a numerical limit orrange is stated, all values and subranges therewithin are specificallyincluded as if explicitly written out.

[0119] This application claims priority to French patent application0205913, filed May 14, 2002, this French application being incorporatedherein by reference.

1. A method for cleaning, conditioning or otherwise treating keratinmaterial comprising applying thereto at least one non-polymeric organicsalt with a melting point of less than 60° C.
 2. The method according toclaim 1, wherein the non-polymeric organic salt has a melting point ofless than 20° C.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the organicsalt is selected from the group consisting of imidazolium, pyrazolium,pyridinium, pyrimidinium and tetraalkylphosphonium salts, and mixturesthereof.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said salt is animidazolium salt that corresponds to the following formula:

in which R₁ and R₃, which may be identical or different, each representan alkyl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R₂, R₄ and R₅,which may be identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom oran alkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X⁻ represents ananion.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein R₁ and R₃, which maybe identical or different, represent an alkyl group containing from 1 to5 carbon atoms.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said salt isa pyrazolium salt corresponding to the following formula:

in which R₁ represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbonatoms, R₆, R₇ and R₈, which may be identical or different, eachrepresent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 5carbon atoms, and X⁻ represents an anion.
 7. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said salt is a pyridinium salt corresponding to thefollowing formula:

in which R₉ represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbonatoms, R₆ and R₇, which may be identical or different, each represent ahydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, andX⁻ represents an anion.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidsalt is a pyrimidinium salt corresponding to one of the followingformulae:

in which R₁ represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbonatoms, R₆ and R₇, which may be identical or different, each represent ahydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, andX⁻ represents an anion.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein saidsalt is a tetraalkylphosphonium salt corresponding to the followingformula:

in which R₁₀, R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃, which may be identical or different,represent an alkyl group containing from 1 to 18 carbon atoms, and X⁻represents an anion.
 10. The method according to claim 4, wherein X isselected from the group consisting of a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromideion (Br⁻), a tetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion(NiCl₄ ⁻), a perchlorate ion (CIO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitriteion (NO₂ ⁻), a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁻), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻),a tetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) and a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).
 11. The method according to claim 6, wherein X isselected from the group consisting of a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromideion (Br⁻), a tetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion(NiCl₄ ⁻), a perchlorate ion (ClO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitriteion (NO₂ ⁻), a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁻), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻),a tetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) and a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).
 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein X isselected from the group consisting of a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromideion (Br⁻), a tetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion(NiCl₄ ⁻), a perchlorate ion (ClO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitriteion (NO₂ ⁻), a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁻), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻),a tetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) and a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).
 13. The method according to claim 8, wherein X isselected from the group consisting of a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromideion (Br⁻), a tetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion(NiCl₄ ⁻), a perchlorate ion (ClO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitriteion (NO₂ ⁻), a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁻), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻),a tetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) and a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).
 14. The method according to claim 9, wherein X isselected from the group consisting of a chloride ion (Cl⁻), a bromideion (Br⁻), a tetrachloroaluminate ion (AlCl₄ ⁻), a tetrachloronickel ion(NiCl₄ ⁻), a perchlorate ion (ClO₄ ⁻), a nitrate ion (NO₃ ⁻), a nitriteion (NO₂ ⁻), a sulphate ion (SO₄ ²⁺), a methyl sulphate ion (CH₃SO₄ ⁻),a tetrafluoroborate ion (BF₄ ⁻), a hexafluorophosphate ion (PF₆ ⁻), ahexafluoroantimonate ion (SbF₆ ⁻), a triflate [TfO] ion (CF₃SO₂ ⁻), anonaflate [NfO] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃SO₂ ⁻), a bis(triflyl)amide [Tf₂N] ion((CF₃SO₂)₂N⁻), a trifluoroacetate [TA] ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻), aheptafluorobutanoate [HB] ion (CF₃(CF₂)₃CO₂ ⁻), an acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻), a trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃CO₂ ⁻) and a trifluoromethanesulphonateion (CF₃SO₃ ⁻).
 15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said saltis selected from the group consisting of: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumchloride, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide,1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazoliumchloride, 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride,1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazoliumbromide, 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride,1-methyl-3-tetradecylimidazolium chloride, 4-methyl-N-butylpyridiniumchloride, 3-methyl-N-butylpyridinium chloride,4-methyl-N-hexylpyridinium chloride, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumtetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate,4-methyl-N-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate, 1-hexyl-3-ethylimidazoliumtetrafluoroborate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-pentyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-heptyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-nonyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate,1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1,3-dimethylimidazoliummethylsulphate, 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium methylsulphate,1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumnitrite, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate,1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium sulphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazoliumtriflates, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium nonaflates,1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(triflyl)amide, 1-butylpyridiniumbromide, 1-butylpyrimidinium trifluoromethanesulphonate,1-hexylpyrimidinium trifluoromethanesulphonate,1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate,trihexyltetradecylphosphonium chloride, tributyltetradecylphosphoniumchloride, 1-ethyl-2-methylpyrazolium tetrafluoroborate,1-methyl-3-butylpyrimidinium tetrafluoroborate, and1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate.
 16. The method accordingto claim 1, wherein the organic salt is present in a composition in anamount of between 0.00001% and 99.9999% by weight, relative to the totalweight of the composition.
 17. The method according to claim 16, whereinthe composition further comprises a cosmetically acceptable medium. 18.The method according to claim 17, wherein the cosmetically acceptablemedium comprises at least one of water; C₁-C₄ aliphatic alcohols;aromatic alcohols; fatty alcohols; modified or unmodified polyols;volatile or non-volatile silicones; mineral, organic or plant oils;oxyethylenated or non-oxyethylenated waxes, paraffins; C₅-C₁₀ alkanes;fatty acids; fatty amides, and fatty esters.
 19. The method according toclaim 17, said composition further comprising at least one organiccompound selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl ethylketone, methyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, dimethoxyethaneand diethoxyethane.
 20. The method according to claim 17, saidcomposition further comprising at least one cosmetic additive selectedform the group consisting of reducing agents, oxidizing agents, fattysubstances, silicones, thickeners, softeners, antifoams, moisturizers,emollients, basifying agents, plasticizers, sunscreens, direct dyes oroxidation dyes, pigments, mineral fillers, clays, colloidal minerals,nacres, fragrances, peptizers, preserving agents, anionic, amphoteric,zwitterionic or nonionic surfactants, fixing or non-fixing polymers,conditioning polymers, proteins and vitamins.
 21. The method of claim 1,further comprising applying said salt to said keratin material at atemperature of between 10 and 80° C., and optionally rinsing out thesalt after an application time of between 15 seconds and 30 minutes. 22.The method of claim 1, wherein said keratin material is hair.
 23. Acomposition for cleaning, conditioning or otherwise treating keratinmaterial comprising at least one non-polymeric organic salt with amelting point of less than 60° C.
 24. A skin, hair, nail, eyelash,eyebrow or lip care composition comprising at least one non-polymericorganic salt with a melting point of less than 60° C.